August
2007 Anticrastination Tip Sheet
What's the opposite of Procrastination?
THE ANTICRASTINATION TIP SHEET
An Idea and Tip Sheet to Blast Away the
Procrastination Habit
From Rita Emmett
Author of THE PROCRASTINATOR'S HANDBOOK, and
THE CLUTTER-BUSTING HANDBOOK

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Words Of Praise For: The Clutter-Busting Handbook

Hi Rita,
I'm almost all the way through your clutter book. And, I am proud to
say, it inspired me. I went shopping for new clothes the other day and
knew I needed to make room in my closet. So, I did the old, "Have I worn
this in the past year?" test and filled a large garbage bag for charity.
Then, I read more of your book and realized that I didn't go far enough.
So, I went back into my closet for the next hour and reorganized it. I
also filled another larger garbage bag with additional items. Better
still, I now have a $500 tax deduction. And I love how organized my
closet looks. I know EXACTLY where everything is and will no longer
search in panic mode. Yeah!
--Rob Sullivan, author of Getting Your Foot In the Door When You Don't
Have Leg to Stand On

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Such A Deal --- Another Free Teleseminar!!
"Brand Yourself Without Getting Burned"

We've heard about product brands since we were kids, from our favorite
cereals and soda pop to our favorite sports gear and clothing labels.
Have you ever wondered "What's the big deal about people branding
themselves?" or "Who can benefit from branding themselves?" (Maybe you?)

Aren't you eager to learn about all this?? The class is free. If you've
been meaning to "try out" a teleseminar or to learn about this new term
"branding", this is the place to start.

Tuesday, August 28 at 7 PM (Chicago Time)
Rita will fire questions at Glory Boreson, author of "Brand Yourself Without Getting Burned"
and you can email your burning questions to Rita ahead of time by
replying to this email.

So many readers wrote to me after last month's Tip Sheet asking about my
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free but just cannot bring themselves to give talks. There is a
wonderful solution for all of you.

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cmd.php?Clk=2021108 is a
website where you can find out all kinds of easy and simple ideas for
making money while traveling. Everyone I've sent there has been
extremely excited about it, and the web offers such a variety of ideas,
that so far, everyone I've sent there has found something that worked
for them. I've never seen this kind of information available anywhere
else. It's really cool. And the rarity is that this program also
includes one-on-one coaching to make sure you
succeed in your specific situation.

Did you ever notice how clutter seems to double and triple during the
lazy days of summer?

the car looks like a small third world nation is using it as a
traveling dining room.

the heady fragrance of mildew wafts from soggy swimsuits and
water gear tucked or dropped in odd places.

the back yard is sprouting rakes, toys, shovels, and bikes
everywhere.

and the Clutter Gremlins must be visiting your children while
they sleep because no child could possibly own as many toys as are
scattered through the house, yard and car.

Clutter isn't an illness; it's simply a habit. And by adding a new
habit or two to your family life, you'll see your clutter evaporate AND
you'll teach your children to become Clutter-Busters.

The first step in these habits is deciding where things should be put.
"A place for everything ..."

Also, you may need to begin some new Family Rules, such as if someone's
stuff is found where it doesn't belong, you get to decide its fate. For
example, first offense, maybe you keep it for a few days, then return
it.

But after a second or third time, you might decide to keep it for a
month (or even to get rid of it completely)

They will "test" to see if your new rules are real. You have to be tough
at the beginning.

Car Clutter

Put a large wastebasket in the garage for car trash. If no
garage, tuck grocery plastic bags under the car seat for trash.

At the end of each trip, remind everyone to gather what doesn't
belong in the car.

If you like to keep barrettes, scrunchies and small toys handy
in the car, provide small containers. At the end of each trip, put
everything in its place.

Wet Clutter

Assign and announce a place for everything to go. Make it easy
and handy.

Maybe swimsuits go right in the washer or draped over the side
of the tub; maybe water toys go in a box outside the door or into a
tub.

Offer a reward (favorite snack, trip to the movies or mall, new
game) to everyone who puts away their wet gear for a week without
being reminded.

Yard Clutter

Keep all yard and garden stuff together in one designated spot.

Fix or repair broken tools; if you don't have time to fix it
now, you never will. Get rid of it.

Set a timer for 5 minutes, gather up and put away the tools. If
others have toys or stuff scattered around, make a new house rule:
No TV, computer, phone time (or whatever that person loves) till
they do the 5 minute "blitz". You'll be amazed at what you can
accomplish in five minutes.

Toy Clutter

Make it easy for them to "contain" their toys

Assign places for toys to belong

If there are TOO MANY, take strong steps. Toss broken or
incomplete toys. Donate ones your children no longer use. If STILL
too many, pack some away for a rainy or sick day.

Or just have "Pack Away Days" where the kids get to pick out 3
toys, games or books that were packed away but they have to give
items to replace those that were packed away.

Set the timer for 25 minutes and everybody "blitz" - race
through the house picking up stuff and putting it where it belongs.
When time's up, everyone join in for a special treat - a trip to the
pool, fixings for a hot fudge sundae, a special surprise DVD.

You know that YOU feel much better when there's less clutter. Well,
guess what? Your family does, too. By introducing a few new rules and
habits, you can eliminate a whole bunch of that jumbled up stuff and
you'll all feel lighter, freer and way more energized.